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The Shift Has Begun

Yesterday, I listened to a conversation between people who are grapling with the shift that is facing tranditional print media as they come face to face with the present digital age.  These are dedicated people to their industry who are seeing a major decline in traditional subscriptions to their magazine and are discussing ways to turn the trend around.

There are great people with great ideas on this call but I honestly think they have yet to realize that we are not dealing with a "trend" we are dealing with a "shift."  One is temporary the other is foundational. Trends can be predicted and manipulated.  Shifts are changes that are so massive that it is impossible for things to return to what they were.

Ask youself these questions.  

1.  How much reading of printed material do you choose to do?

2.  How much reading do you consume online or in digital format?

3.  How much has reading as a habit decreased in your life over the last few years?

4.  Where do you turn to get your news and information first - the newspaper, broadcast news, or the web?

These are just a few questions that people are grappling with.  To those who understand what is happening, they are already building new constructs that will be able to run on this shifting foundation. Others will find that time and energy will be wasted away.

In regards to the church, are we relying on tradtional media to spread the word about our churches or are we strategically building in ways to set our people up for positive conversations about our church and there by leverage our greatest asset - our people - to gain ground in the shifting culture?

The shift has begun.  Are you ready for it?

 

The Challenge to Connect

This past weekend we had met several new guests who attended our service at the movie theater.  It is always great to meet new people.  This weekend thought I left with a deep thought that has been stiring inside me and has come up often during my prayer time over the past few months.  The thought is one that is easily brushed to the side.  Yet, if wrestled with, its answer could have ramifications and thus cannot be ignored.  So here is the thought...

In a metro area filled with people, how do we best foster the ability for people to connect?  Do we even see connection outside of church as a need?  

What am I talking about?  Connect Groups.  We have always said that our church must grow larger and smaller at the same time.  Now, just 2 years into a church plant, I am grappling with the question of focusing on growing smaller and convincing people of the value of forming connect groups within Fellowship Church.

Historically it has been the thought that you don't need small groups until established in the 100's.  I have always ascribed to this thought.  During my summer prayer time, I have been challenged in this thought.  What if we found that things are starting to shift in our culture?   What if those who are looking at joing our churches - those who have a passion to see their generation impacted - what if one the key factors they are looking for IS connection?  Is it possible that we have to rethink things?  Could it be that getting better at Connect Groups (growing smaller) is the key to reaching more people (growing larger)?

At some point, ever leader has to deal with this issue of building a crowd or growing disciples.  But this thought has stuck in my spirit this summer and is fueling my fire this fall.  

Jesus build disciples WHILE building the crowd.  He did them both at the same time.  He didn't get the crowds then draw out disciples from them.  He chose his disciples and they were the key to his sustained ministry.

Perhaps we would be more effective if we begin up front to build relationships - structure our churches around them - encourage them - birth them now rather than waiting until later?

I hope that if you are a member of Fellowship Church you will concider hosting a Connect Group this fall. It may just be the key to changing your life.

On The Backside Now

In all my life, I think this has been the longest week.  I honestly think that I have reached a point where it at least is beginning to make the final turn- not just because today is Friday and the week-END is upon us but because the issues of the week are ending their current stages.  Lately I feel like I am fighting up hill at times and all alone at that. Understanding that it's the position of leadership and the challenge ever leader faces doesn't make it any easier.  Yet, as always is the case for us, I find myself learning a new nugget of truth that hopefully will help me the next time I face a week similar to this.

In the Bible we read the story of Elijah where God directed him to go to a brook and stay there.  He was coming out of a very tough season of ministry.  In fact he had just declared to a king that there would be drought and that no rain would fall for a while.  It was a tough encounter I am sure.  Prophets had to have thick skin because they must have dealt with rejection all the time.  So after the tough season, he was taken to a place of rest (lead me beside cool waters...he restores my soul).  Some thoughts here...

THE WATERY BROOK - Served as a place of refreshing.  He was free to drink of the water and find coolness in the heat of the day...wetness when his throat was dry...etc.  It's about nature replenishing us.  I noticed this week that I will not be able to play my round of golf.  Golf is my weekly stop at the watery brook of nature.  Something happens when I am out on that course fighting against myself to break into the 80's while counting every stroke (yes I count lost balls guys.  For those who don't know it's 1 stroke in + 1 stroke to out. lol).  We you get out on the backside of the course you find the cars are not as loud.  The sounds of the city fade and are replaced by the singing of birds and the running of water in the creeks.  Each week I find a spot where I spend 20 minutes or so and just listen.  Doesn't matter how many people I allow to play on while I rest.  It's these moments where God uses nature to restore and replenish me.

FOOD FROM RAVENS - This speaks of God provision.  There are some things that I need that can only come from God.  Nature in and of itself is not enough.  God's spirit and his word are becoming the love of my life.  I at times have to fight to get them because I allow myself to get busy but in those moments on the golf course I find that the words that I have been SOAPing all week seem to take on new meaning.  I see ways to apply them that I never saw in the daily moments.  It's so wonderful when God gives us nuggets of understanding and morsels of faith that strengthen the soul. The temptation of ministry is that we can get sucked into studying for series or messages.  When we are there we lose the personal edification that we can experience.

Lord, forgive me for not taking the time to refresh myself this week.  As I finish up today, help my efforts to be fruitful and my mind to be sharp so that I can do what I long so desperately to do - set down and the brook and feast on what you provide.